ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour will not be tolerated in Richmond upon Thames - was the clear message from the borough's police when announcing their new targets. At the launch of Operation Peacemaker' - a 12-month focus on anti-social behaviour - borough commander Richard Gargini said they have set a target of reducing the problem by 20 per cent.

He spoke of successful crime reduction last year - including an impressive 27 per cent decrease in vehicle crime - but added that this was not enough. "The community wants more from us. We want people to feel safe and confident when out on a Friday and Saturday night," he said.

Other targets include a five per cent reduction in street crime, naught per cent growth on burglary (which was reduced by 17 per cent last year) and naught per cent growth on car crime. Chf Supt Gargini described the 20 per cent ASB target as challenging but exciting, and confirmed it would "set this borough apart from other boroughs."

Chf Insp Simon Phipps said defining anti-social behaviour is difficult as dropping litter or cycling on a pavement can cause distress to others. But their campaign will concentrate on disturbances in public places, damage to cars and graffiti. Drink fuelled disruption will be the main focus and he pointed out that a Friday or Saturday night in Richmond town centre can attract an extra 10,000 visitors, who are not borough residents.

Approximately 150 separate activities will be in place to combat the problem, including: mapping hot spots; operations against off-licenses selling to youths; working with local schools to identify graffiti culprits; taking children home if found after 9pm without an adult in certain areas and taking advantage of new legislation giving power to disperse groups of potential troublemakers and order them to leave an area or face arrest.

Chf Insp Phipps said: "We are leading the way for London and are one of the few boroughs taking on such a mammoth task." He also stressed the importance of high visibility policing and their continued success with officers using bicycles. The seven current Police Community Service Officers (PCSOs) will also be increasing to 29 this summer; they have less power than regular officers but are always out and about on the streets and act as the eyes and ears of the police.

Other key figures speaking at the launch included chairman of the Police & Community Consultative Group, Wendy Kyle-Pope, who commended the new targets and said: "Anti-social behaviour creates fear and fear ruins people's lives." She stressed the need to look at causes behind the behaviour and the importance of talking and listening to young people and supporting youth clubs and the activities organised for the young.

Council leader Tony Arbour also spoke in full support of the plans and stated that "perception of crime is the most important thing." He said reducing crime figures was no use if people are still scared to leave their front door. He wants criminals to know that in Richmond they will be caught and punished, by using the media to "name and shame" those who are prosecuted.

A common theme during the launch was that of setting Richmond apart from other boroughs when it comes to crime. Cllr Arbour said he wants Richmond to stand so far apart from other boroughs that there will be no question that it is the safest in London.